Helen Emma Marotzke

Mass of Christian Burial for Helen Marotzke, 89, of Marshall, will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Remembrance Center.

Helen Emma (Brau) Marotzke was born on March 9, 1936, in Granite Rock Township, Redwood County, to Carl and Frances (Stadick) Brau. She was Baptized, received First Communion and Confirmed at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Lucan. When her dad passed away suddenly in October of 1952, they moved off of the farm and into Wabasso where she graduated from Wabasso High School. Helen worked in the grocery store in town and later at the creamery as a bookkeeper. She met the love of her life at a dance in Wanda. Helen and Kenneth Marotzke were married at St. Anne’s Catholic Church on May 6, 1957, which was Kenneth’s birthday. He always said she was the best birthday present he ever received. The couple enjoyed going out dancing and very rarely were not together.

They moved to a farm near Vesta in 1960, where Ken and Helen would raise their family. Helen took on many roles including milking cows, feeding calves, helping in the field, picking rock, walking beans, bailing hay, and tending to a garden. She, of course, made meals for many neighborhood boys who helped over the years. She was hard working and taught her children to do the same.

They were members of the Holy Name Catholic Church in Vesta where Helen belonged to the Christian Mothers. When they moved to Marshall in September of 1990, she belonged to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and the CCW.

Helen made the best sauerkraut and dumplings and her orange jello salad was on the table at every family celebration. She took great joy in seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and hearing about their activities.

Helen died on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. She is survived by her children Michael (Lynae) of Vesta; Patricia (Steve) Verkinderen of Marshall; Joleen (Joel) Irlbeck, Gary (Shannon) Marotzke, Thomas (Michelle) Marotzke, all of Vesta; grandchildren Brandon (Clara) Irlbeck; Justin (Heather) Irlbeck; Megan Irlbeck (fiancé Jason Veenstra); Shane (Jenna) Irlbeck; Garrett, Gavin & Greysen Marotzke; Steven, Matthew, Nickolas (special friend Emma), Jayson Marotzke; step-grandchildren including Crystal (Josh) Hintze and Joe (Michelle) Engebretson; great-grandchildren includes Audrina, Brock, Lydia, Jolie, Beau, Lou, Tyce, Edie and Archie Irlbeck; step-great-grandchildren Hunter and Flynn Hintze and Jacob and Calmie. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Connie Brau. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents; her sister, Joan; her brother-in-law James Lange; and brother David Brau.